Method and apparatus for charging a self powered USB device at different charge rates according to the charge level of a rechargeable element on the device

A remote hub device coupleable to a host computer through a Universal Serial Bus port, comprising;

• a hub controller coupleable to the host computer;
• a mode and status system coupled to the hub controller;
• and
• a rechargeable device coupled to the mode and status system and adapted to provide current to at least four power ports, each port limiting the current, wherein the rechargeable device draws current from the Universal Serial Bus to charge the rechargeable device to a predetermined level for providing the current to the at least four power ports.

A method of charging a rechargeable device on a Universal Serial Bus device coupled to a host computer comprising the steps of;

• initializing the Universal Serial Bus device in a low charge rate;
• configuring the Universal Serial Bus device to operate in a high power bus powered mode;
• and
• charging the rechargeable device at a high charge rate until the rechargeable device reaches a predetermined charge level for the high charge rate;
• and
• charging the device at a low charge rate until the rechargeable device reaches a predetermined charge level for the low charge rate.

A remote Universal Serial Bus device coupleable to a host computer through a Universal Serial Bus port, comprising,

• means for powering a high powered peripheral device, the means for powering the high powered peripheral device being rechargeable and connected to the high powered peripheral device;
• means for monitoring the charge level of the means for powering the high powered peripheral device;
• means for changing the charge level of the means for powering the high powered peripheral device;
• and
• means for controlling the configuration of the Universal Serial Bus device which communicates this to the remote host computer wherein the means for controlling the configuration of the Universal Serial Bus device configures the Universal Serial Bus device as a high power bus powered device after power up.

A remote function device coupleable to a host computer through a Universal Serial Bus port, comprising;

• a function controller coupleable to the host computer;
• a mode and status system coupled to the function controller;
• and
• a rechargeable device coupled to the mode and status system and adapted to drive a high powered function device wherein the rechargeable device draws more than 100 ma and less than 500 ma of current from the Universal Serial Bus to charge the rechargeable device to a predetermined charge level for a high charge rate, then the rechargeable device draws less than 100 ma until the rechargeable device reaches a predetermined charge level for a low charge rate wherein the rechargeable device stops charging at the low charge rate upon reaching the predetermined charge level for the low charge rate.